Investigation of the circumstances of prosthetic usage and the affecting factors in unilateral trans-femoral amputees

Abstract

One of the primary goals of rehabilitation for lower-limb amputees is getting used to using a properly fitting prosthesis functionally. However, patients with trans-femoral amputations are much less likely to be successfully fitted than those with trans-tibial amputations. In this study, we conducted a survey to investigate the circumstances of prosthetic usage for trans-femoral amputees to reveal the factors necessary to frequent usage. Questionnaires were given to 89 trans-femoral amputees who received rehabilitation services at our facility between 2001 and 2011. As the result, 52 amputees (73.6%) answered the questionnaire. Prosthetic usage was reported among 53.2% amputees during indoor activities, 91.5% during outdoor activities, and 66.0% for 8 hours per day or longer. The necessity of a wheelchair for indoor locomotion without a prosthesis was newly identified as a factor associated with prosthetic usage in addition to the factors previously reported : age, employment status, stump pain, one-leg balance, and prosthetic walking ability. In the screening of physical functions necessary for prosthetic usage, this can be easily evaluated and considered to be a clinically effective index.